Today's bible teaching: The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

 Psalm 34

1

Psalm 34 Of David. When he pretended to be insane before Abimelech, who drove him away, and he left. ^[1]

1

I will extol the LORD at all times; his praise will always be on my lips.

2

My soul will boast in the LORD; let the afflicted hear and rejoice.

3

Glorify the LORD with me; let us exalt his name together.

4

I sought the LORD, and he answered me; he delivered me from all my fears.

5

Those who look to him are radiant; their faces are never covered with shame.

6

This poor man called, and the LORD heard him; he saved him out of all his troubles.

7

The angel of the LORD encamps around those who fear him, and he delivers them.

8

Taste and see that the LORD is good; blessed is the man who takes refuge in him.

9

Fear the LORD, you his saints, for those who fear him lack nothing.

10

The lions may grow weak and hungry, but those who seek the LORD lack no good thing.

11

Come, my children, listen to me; I will teach you the fear of the LORD.

12

Whoever of you loves life and desires to see many good days,

13

keep your tongue from evil and your lips from speaking lies.

14

Turn from evil and do good; seek peace and pursue it.

15

The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous and his ears are attentive to their cry;

16

the face of the LORD is against those who do evil, to cut off the memory of them from the earth.

17

The righteous cry out, and the LORD hears them; he delivers them from all their troubles.

18

The LORD is close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.

19

A righteous man may have many troubles, but the LORD delivers him from them all;

20

he protects all his bones, not one of them will be broken.

21

Evil will slay the wicked; the foes of the righteous will be condemned.

22

The LORD redeems his servants; no one will be condemned who takes refuge in him.

Today's praises: Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men

 Psalm 107

1

Psalm 107

1

Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.

2

Let the redeemed of the LORD say this-- those he redeemed from the hand of the foe,

3

those he gathered from the lands, from east and west, from north and south. ^[1]

4

Some wandered in desert wastelands, finding no way to a city where they could settle.

5

They were hungry and thirsty, and their lives ebbed away.

6

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he delivered them from their distress.

7

He led them by a straight way to a city where they could settle.

8

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,

9

for he satisfies the thirsty and fills the hungry with good things.

10

Some sat in darkness and the deepest gloom, prisoners suffering in iron chains,

11

for they had rebelled against the words of God and despised the counsel of the Most High.

12

So he subjected them to bitter labor; they stumbled, and there was no one to help.

13

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

14

He brought them out of darkness and the deepest gloom and broke away their chains.

15

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men,

16

for he breaks down gates of bronze and cuts through bars of iron.

17

Some became fools through their rebellious ways and suffered affliction because of their iniquities.

18

They loathed all food and drew near the gates of death.

19

Then they cried to the LORD in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress.

20

He sent forth his word and healed them; he rescued them from the grave.

21

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

22

Let them sacrifice thank offerings and tell of his works with songs of joy.

23

Others went out on the sea in ships; they were merchants on the mighty waters.

24

They saw the works of the LORD, his wonderful deeds in the deep.

25

For he spoke and stirred up a tempest that lifted high the waves.

26

They mounted up to the heavens and went down to the depths; in their peril their courage melted away.

27

They reeled and staggered like drunken men; they were at their wits' end.

28

Then they cried out to the LORD in their trouble, and he brought them out of their distress.

29

He stilled the storm to a whisper; the waves of the sea were hushed.

30

They were glad when it grew calm, and he guided them to their desired haven.

31

Let them give thanks to the LORD for his unfailing love and his wonderful deeds for men.

32

Let them exalt him in the assembly of the people and praise him in the council of the elders.

33

He turned rivers into a desert, flowing springs into thirsty ground,

34

and fruitful land into a salt waste, because of the wickedness of those who lived there.

35

He turned the desert into pools of water and the parched ground into flowing springs;

36

there he brought the hungry to live, and they founded a city where they could settle.

37

They sowed fields and planted vineyards that yielded a fruitful harvest;

38

he blessed them, and their numbers greatly increased, and he did not let their herds diminish.

39

Then their numbers decreased, and they were humbled by oppression, calamity and sorrow;

40

he who pours contempt on nobles made them wander in a trackless waste.

41

But he lifted the needy out of their affliction and increased their families like flocks.

42

The upright see and rejoice, but all the wicked shut their mouths.

43

Whoever is wise, let him heed these things and consider the great love of the LORD.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples⁰

 Psalm 117

1

Psalm 117

1

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD

Today's praises: Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

 Psalm 28

1

Psalm 28 Of David.

1

To you I call, O LORD my Rock; do not turn a deaf ear to me. For if you remain silent, I will be like those who have gone down to the pit.

2

Hear my cry for mercy as I call to you for help, as I lift up my hands toward your Most Holy Place.

3

Do not drag me away with the wicked, with those who do evil, who speak cordially with their neighbors but harbor malice in their hearts.

4

Repay them for their deeds and for their evil work; repay them for what their hands have done and bring back upon them what they deserve.

5

Since they show no regard for the works of the LORD and what his hands have done, he will tear them down and never build them up again.

6

Praise be to the LORD, for he has heard my cry for mercy.

7

The LORD is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in him, and I am helped. My heart leaps for joy and I will give thanks to him in song.

8

The LORD is the strength of his people, a fortress of salvation for his anointed one.

9

Save your people and bless your inheritance; be their shepherd and carry them forever.

Today's prayer: O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy

 Psalm 130

1

Psalm 130 A song of ascents.

1

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2

O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

3

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

4

But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

5

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

6

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

8

He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Today's praises:May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

 Psalm 134

1

Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

3

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Today's prayer: Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me.

 Psalm 5

1

Psalm 5 For the director of music. For flutes. A psalm of David.

1

Give ear to my words, O LORD, consider my sighing.

2

Listen to my cry for help, my King and my God, for to you I pray.

3

In the morning, O LORD, you hear my voice; in the morning I lay my requests before you and wait in expectation.

4

You are not a God who takes pleasure in evil; with you the wicked cannot dwell.

5

The arrogant cannot stand in your presence; you hate all who do wrong.

6

You destroy those who tell lies; bloodthirsty and deceitful men the LORD abhors.

7

But I, by your great mercy, will come into your house; in reverence will I bow down toward your holy temple.

8

Lead me, O LORD, in your righteousness because of my enemies-- make straight your way before me.

9

Not a word from their mouth can be trusted; their heart is filled with destruction. Their throat is an open grave; with their tongue they speak deceit.

10

Declare them guilty, O God! Let their intrigues be their downfall. Banish them for their many sins, for they have rebelled against you.

11

But let all who take refuge in you be glad; let them ever sing for joy. Spread your protection over them, that those who love your name may rejoice in you.

12

For surely, O LORD, you bless the righteous; you surround them with your favor as with a shield.

Today's prayer: Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love

 Psalm 109

1

Psalm 109 For the director of music. Of David. A psalm.

1

O God, whom I praise, do not remain silent,

2

for wicked and deceitful men have opened their mouths against me; they have spoken against me with lying tongues.

3

With words of hatred they surround me; they attack me without cause.

4

In return for my friendship they accuse me, but I am a man of prayer.

5

They repay me evil for good, and hatred for my friendship.

6

Appoint ^[1] an evil man ^[2] to oppose him; let an accuser ^[3] stand at his right hand.

7

When he is tried, let him be found guilty, and may his prayers condemn him.

8

May his days be few; may another take his place of leadership.

9

May his children be fatherless and his wife a widow.

10

May his children be wandering beggars; may they be driven ^[4] from their ruined homes.

11

May a creditor seize all he has; may strangers plunder the fruits of his labor.

12

May no one extend kindness to him or take pity on his fatherless children.

13

May his descendants be cut off, their names blotted out from the next generation.

14

May the iniquity of his fathers be remembered before the LORD; may the sin of his mother never be blotted out.

15

May their sins always remain before the LORD, that he may cut off the memory of them from the earth.

16

For he never thought of doing a kindness, but hounded to death the poor and the needy and the brokenhearted.

17

He loved to pronounce a curse-- may it ^[5] come on him; he found no pleasure in blessing-- may it be ^[6] far from him.

18

He wore cursing as his garment; it entered into his body like water, into his bones like oil.

19

May it be like a cloak wrapped about him, like a belt tied forever around him.

20

May this be the LORD's payment to my accusers, to those who speak evil of me.

21

But you, O Sovereign LORD, deal well with me for your name's sake; out of the goodness of your love, deliver me.

22

For I am poor and needy, and my heart is wounded within me.

23

I fade away like an evening shadow; I am shaken off like a locust.

24

My knees give way from fasting; my body is thin and gaunt.

25

I am an object of scorn to my accusers; when they see me, they shake their heads.

26

Help me, O LORD my God; save me in accordance with your love.

27

Let them know that it is your hand, that you, O LORD, have done it.

28

They may curse, but you will bless; when they attack they will be put to shame, but your servant will rejoice.

29

My accusers will be clothed with disgrace and wrapped in shame as in a cloak.

30

With my mouth I will greatly extol the LORD; in the great throng I will praise him.

31

For he stands at the right hand of the needy one, to save his life from those who condemn him.

Today's praises: Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD

 Psalm 134

1

Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

3

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Today's bible teaching: He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him

 Psalm 126

1

Psalm 126 A song of ascents.

1

When the LORD brought back the captives to ^[1] Zion, we were like men who dreamed. ^[2]

2

Our mouths were filled with laughter, our tongues with songs of joy. Then it was said among the nations, "The LORD has done great things for them."

3

The LORD has done great things for us, and we are filled with joy.

4

Restore our fortunes, ^[3] O LORD, like streams in the Negev.

5

Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy.

6

He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.

Today's prayer: Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed

 Psalm 21

1

Psalm 21 For the director of music. A psalm of David.

1

O LORD, the king rejoices in your strength. How great is his joy in the victories you give!

2

You have granted him the desire of his heart and have not withheld the request of his lips. Selah

3

You welcomed him with rich blessings and placed a crown of pure gold on his head.

4

He asked you for life, and you gave it to him-- length of days, for ever and ever.

5

Through the victories you gave, his glory is great; you have bestowed on him splendor and majesty.

6

Surely you have granted him eternal blessings and made him glad with the joy of your presence.

7

For the king trusts in the LORD; through the unfailing love of the Most High he will not be shaken.

8

Your hand will lay hold on all your enemies; your right hand will seize your foes.

9

At the time of your appearing you will make them like a fiery furnace. In his wrath the LORD will swallow them up, and his fire will consume them.

10

You will destroy their descendants from the earth, their posterity from mankind.

11

Though they plot evil against you and devise wicked schemes, they cannot succeed;

12

for you will make them turn their backs when you aim at them with drawn bow.

13

Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might.

Today's prayer: Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you

 Psalm 102

1

Psalm 102 A prayer of an afflicted man. When he is faint and pours out his lament before the LORD.

1

Hear my prayer, O LORD; let my cry for help come to you.

2

Do not hide your face from me when I am in distress. Turn your ear to me; when I call, answer me quickly.

3

For my days vanish like smoke; my bones burn like glowing embers.

4

My heart is blighted and withered like grass; I forget to eat my food.

5

Because of my loud groaning I am reduced to skin and bones.

6

I am like a desert owl, like an owl among the ruins.

7

I lie awake; I have become like a bird alone on a roof.

8

All day long my enemies taunt me; those who rail against me use my name as a curse.

9

For I eat ashes as my food and mingle my drink with tears

10

because of your great wrath, for you have taken me up and thrown me aside.

11

My days are like the evening shadow; I wither away like grass.

12

But you, O LORD, sit enthroned forever; your renown endures through all generations.

13

You will arise and have compassion on Zion, for it is time to show favor to her; the appointed time has come.

14

For her stones are dear to your servants; her very dust moves them to pity.

15

The nations will fear the name of the LORD, all the kings of the earth will revere your glory.

16

For the LORD will rebuild Zion and appear in his glory.

17

He will respond to the prayer of the destitute; he will not despise their plea.

18

Let this be written for a future generation, that a people not yet created may praise the LORD:

19

"The LORD looked down from his sanctuary on high, from heaven he viewed the earth,

20

to hear the groans of the prisoners and release those condemned to death."

21

So the name of the LORD will be declared in Zion and his praise in Jerusalem

22

when the peoples and the kingdoms assemble to worship the LORD.

23

In the course of my life ^[1] he broke my strength; he cut short my days.

24

So I said: "Do not take me away, O my God, in the midst of my days; your years go on through all generations.

25

In the beginning you laid the foundations of the earth, and the heavens are the work of your hands.

26

They will perish, but you remain; they will all wear out like a garment. Like clothing you will change them and they will be discarded.

27

But you remain the same, and your years will never end.

28

The children of your servants will live in your presence; their descendants will be established before you."

Today's prayer: O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption

 Psalm 130

1

Psalm 130 A song of ascents.

1

Out of the depths I cry to you, O LORD;

2

O Lord, hear my voice. Let your ears be attentive to my cry for mercy.

3

If you, O LORD, kept a record of sins, O Lord, who could stand?

4

But with you there is forgiveness; therefore you are feared.

5

I wait for the LORD, my soul waits, and in his word I put my hope.

6

My soul waits for the Lord more than watchmen wait for the morning, more than watchmen wait for the morning.

7

O Israel, put your hope in the LORD, for with the LORD is unfailing love and with him is full redemption.

8

He himself will redeem Israel from all their sins.

Today's praises: May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion

 Psalm 134

1

Psalm 134 A song of ascents.

1

Praise the LORD, all you servants of the LORD who minister by night in the house of the LORD.

2

Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the LORD.

3

May the LORD, the Maker of heaven and earth, bless you from Zion.

Today's praises: Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples

 Psalm 117

1

Psalm 117

1

Praise the LORD, all you nations; extol him, all you peoples.

2

For great is his love toward us, and the faithfulness of the LORD endures forever. Praise the LORD.